Windows
Microsoft Windows is an operating system developed by Microsoft. A characteristic of Windows is the virtual desktop environment in which each program has its own window. It is one of the most popular operating systems with a graphical user interface. Within the Windows family, separate editions for consumers, business users and servers have been released.
History of Windows
The first version of Windows (Windows 1.0) was launched in 1985 as a response to Apple's operating system. Until the late 1990s, Windows was basically a graphical shell around the MS-DOS operating system popular in the 1980s. The big breakthrough came with Windows 3.0 and 3.1. Additional networking capabilities were added in Windows 3.11.
After Windows 3.x, Microsoft broke new ground, with separate versions of Windows existing for home users and business environments.
Windows 95, Windows 98 and Windows ME were very successful in the consumer market. Although these Windows versions were still based on MS-DOS, they meant a lot to the development of the personal computer and its role in everyday life. Windows 95 introduced the start menu and taskbar. Windows 98 was the first version of Windows to include Internet Explorer as the default browser.
In parallel, a separate Windows family was developed for the business market, focused on network environments. This Windows NT series again consisted of separate editions for servers and workstations. With the launch of Windows 2000, the addition NT (Network Technology) was dropped, but this version was also a direct descendant in the NT family.
With the introduction of Windows XP, Windows Vista and Windows 7, Microsoft broke new ground with Windows. Namely, one operating system for both home and business use, where only minor differences existed between editions such as Home, Professional and Enterprise.
In August 2012, Windows 8 was launched, followed a year later by Windows 8.1. In this, it is clearly visible that computing is changing. The touch screen is also on the rise in PCs and laptops, and because of this a whole new user interface is making its appearance, which, incidentally, is not received with equal enthusiasm by everyone.
In July 2015, Windows 10 will be released. This version is a further development of Windows 8, but also includes familiar elements from previous versions of Windows, including the Start menu. This version should help Windows regain popularity and prepare the operating system for future developments.
From Mobile via Phone to One Windows
Over the years, Windows launched several special versions of Windows intended for mobile devices such as PDAs, smartphones and tablets and embedded systems such as POS systems and navigation devices. Examples of these special editions of Windows include PocketPC, Windows CE, Windows Mobile and Windows Phone.
With the arrival of Windows 10, all such devices should all run on a single Windows platform. This will allow devices to work better together and all offer the same Windows experience. This philosophy has been christened One Windows.
